Opponent Complains....because you are "sick"?

Angle Queen

Angle Queen

Professional
OK, so I had the flu last week (along w/a nasty sinus infection). Both well-treated with tamiflu and antibiotics and full doses taken.

But I show up today to play in an in-house and admittedly "fun" (re: non-USTA) doubles league. My (very regular & kick-butt) partner also showed up to play...and, gosh, did we ever. Pro-set 10-4 W. NID

Afterwards, and maybe because we're all "friendly," one of our opponents breaks down, sobbing. Background issues aside, she openly complained about me showing up to play with a bunch of "germs."

Seriously? Other than touching the balls to serve to hit/toss them back over the net....I did nothing. Never touched the scorecard (which we never even used), wasn't "close" across the net from her and, afterwards, politely acknowledged the match but didn't shake hands.

Have any of you ever had cause to pause....because your opponent is or admitted to having been sick recently? Do you think you could get sick from merely playing a match against someone who had been ill?
 
OrangePower

OrangePower

Legend
I would imagine you could in theory catch something from a sick opponent, but I think it is far less likely than getting sick via a sick waiter, cashier, coworker, kid, classmate of kid, etc, etc.

So your opponent's reaction is way over the top IMO. Especially since some simple precautions would make the risk negligible (don't shake hands, don't touch face with hands, wash hands well after match).
 
S

Say Chi Sin Lo

G.O.A.T.
Tell her to never ride in public transportation, get on an airplane, sit in a conference room then.

Because it's almost a certainty that at least one person will be sick in those scenarios, not to mention in a closed room.

Also, tell her to stop touching fruits too, there is an insane amount of germs on the skins/shells of fruits.

Then, tell her to use a brand new grip after each hitting session.

Lastly, tell her to stop breathing, because it's with certainty that there are viral particles in the air she's breathing. Whether or not she's immune to a particular flu strain is a different story, but she's literally inhaling these "germs" with each breath she takes.
 
T

TroutSc

Semi-Pro
was there really break down and sobbing? A sobbing over this would be lol.

i stick with the fist bump. it avoids the handshake and people generally accept the fist bump.
 
N

North

Professional
Is this person immunosuppressed for any reason? That is the only thing I can think of (and it is definitely a stretch) which would realistically cause that kind of upset reaction.
 
Cindysphinx

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
images
 
mikeler

mikeler

Moderator
I've played people before when I've been sick and vice versa. It never seems to get transmitted to/from my opponent.
 
D

dizzlmcwizzl

Hall of Fame
She obviously must be upset about these back ground issues.

No sane person would break down sobbing because a medicated sick person, touched a tennis ball she shared.
 
S

Say Chi Sin Lo

G.O.A.T.
dizzlmcwizzl said:
She obviously must be upset about these back ground issues.

No sane person would break down sobbing because a medicated sick person, touched a tennis ball she shared.
Click to expand...

You play tennis, you should know that more than half of tennis players are actually insane when they step onto the court.
 
D

dizzlmcwizzl

Hall of Fame
Say Chi Sin Lo said:
You play tennis, you should know that more than half of tennis players are actually insane when they step onto the court.
Click to expand...

hold on ... I play mostly men's tennis with the occasional mixed thrown in. The insanity quotient, while still above the norm, is not as high for the boys as it is for female tennis players.
 
S

Say Chi Sin Lo

G.O.A.T.
dizzlmcwizzl said:
hold on ... I play mostly men's tennis with the occasional mixed thrown in. The insanity quotient, while still above the norm, is not as high for the boys as it is for female tennis players.
Click to expand...

So what you're saying is, the insanity quotient is inversely proportional to testosterone levels? Meanwhile, it is directly proportional to estrogen levels?
 
Last edited:
Overdrive

Overdrive

Legend
Angle Queen said:
OK, so I had the flu last week (along w/a nasty sinus infection). Both well-treated with tamiflu and antibiotics and full doses taken.

But I show up today to play in an in-house and admittedly "fun" (re: non-USTA) doubles league. My (very regular & kick-butt) partner also showed up to play...and, gosh, did we ever. Pro-set 10-4 W. NID

Afterwards, and maybe because we're all "friendly," one of our opponents breaks down, sobbing. Background issues aside, she openly complained about me showing up to play with a bunch of "germs."

Seriously? Other than touching the balls to serve to hit/toss them back over the net....I did nothing. Never touched the scorecard (which we never even used), wasn't "close" across the net from her and, afterwards, politely acknowledged the match but didn't shake hands.

Have any of you ever had cause to pause....because your opponent is or admitted to having been sick recently? Do you think you could get sick from merely playing a match against someone who had been ill?
Click to expand...

Where does everyone meet all of these people? :confused:
 
M

Mike Y

Rookie
Ok I can understand this behavior a little. I'm kind of a germophobe, and if I see someone coughing into their hand all match, I am not going to shake their hand after the match, I will just tell him that I don't want to get sick. I've done that a few times before. Also, if i am sick, or bleeding from my hand, which has happened a few times before from falling/diving, I won't shake my opponent's hand, and I will tell them why. I don't think this has been a big deal before for my opponents.

Which reminds me of a funny story. When I was first getting back into tennis several years ago, I played my very first Flex League match against an opponent that I didn't know at the time, and I didn't feel very well during the match. The next day, I still was not feeling well, so I went to the doctor. It turns out that I had strep throat, and I'm sure that I had it the night before during my match. So I sent an e-mail to this person who I only met the night before, saying that I just tested positive for strep throat, and it is likely that I had it and was contagious the previous night when we were playing tennis. So I told him that if he is showing any symptoms, that he should get himself checked out. That made me chuckle, lol.
 
Cindysphinx

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
If you see someone acting sick and don't want to shake hands, all you have to do is say you don't want to shake because you don't want to get anyone sick.

They will assume you are being wonderful for looking out for their health. Win win.
 
Angle Queen

Angle Queen

Professional
dizzlmcwizzl said:
She obviously must be upset about these back ground issues.

No sane person would break down sobbing because a medicated sick person, touched a tennis ball she shared.
Click to expand...

Cindysphinx said:
What do you mean "background issues aside"? The background issues are probably the juicy bits.
Click to expand...
Further reflection (and discussion with the other two folks on the court, my partner & hers, afterwards)...it 'twas indeed the other issues that brought on the highly emotional cry. But she'd apparently complained to her partner the entire match...that I'd brought my "germs" to play. (No honey, I brought my FH).

I thoroughly washed my hands before the match, didn't cough at all during the match and was careful to use a clean tissue on changeovers when necessary. And, as mentioned, politely kept my distance at match's end instead of the customary handshake, or even more usual in this circle...the hug.

All four of us are teammates on one team or another...and so, while I know her personal situation, let's just keep it as that it's serious, significant and overwhelming to a single parent...and not worthy of details on the 'net. But I thought then, and have since confirmed, that they (probably) did contribute to the sob.

She's also an extremely competitive person and, quite frankly, just wasn't having a particularly good day skill-wise either. This is supposed to be a "fun" league (in fact, we goofed for much of the warm-ups and played first-in for everyone's entire first service game). So excuses are neither necessary nor even really appropriate.

Say Chi Sin Lo said:
So what you're saying is, the insanity quotient is inversely proportional to testosterone levels? Meanwhile, it is directly proportional to estrogen levels?
Click to expand...
LOL Guess that made me the "sane" one. I'm past The Change.

Thanks, TT, for both the funny and serious replies. Sometimes, ya just got check which way the wind blows.
 
C

cak

Professional
Angle Queen said:
Further reflection (and discussion with the other two folks on the court, my partner & hers, afterwards)...it 'twas indeed the other issues that brought on the highly emotional cry.
Click to expand...

While I was taking care of my very sick husband, and for many months after he died, I dropped out of serious leagues, but found hitting with friends great therapy. I did break into tears a few times, but it had nothing to do with my opponents.
 
T

tennis_ocd

Hall of Fame
funny story but I've got to admit I cringe when I see some guy who is coughing or blowing his nose during change overs (or worst, shooting it thru the back fence between points. Seriously, hanging down the fence?) No way the stuff doesn't get all over the balls... but I just try to block it out. Germs are all over, try to keep your hands clean and fingers out of your own nose and eyes.

Watching guys wring out their head/arm bands into puddles on the court doesn't thrill me either, lol.
 
G

Govnor

Professional
I played a tough match when I shouldn't have (sinus infection, bad cold etc), guy was a jerk, I hope I got him sick.
 
H

hcelizondo

New User
Hang on there. There is something I don't get. She was worried about the "germs' you brought to the court but she is not worried about the germs the ball catches on every single bounce ????

Some people are just crazy
 
S

Say Chi Sin Lo

G.O.A.T.
hcelizondo said:
Hang on there. There is something I don't get. She was worried about the "germs' you brought to the court but she is not worried about the germs the ball catches on every single bounce ????

Some people are just crazy
Click to expand...

Not to mention being in people's pockets and what not...
 
S

sureshs

Bionic Poster
What are the background issues? They seem to be the most juicy stuff in this thread. Enlighten us on those (provided they are non-medical).

PS: Oh I see you already alluded to them. Good enough.
 
T

tennis_ocd

Hall of Fame
pockets and court - just dirt. saliva and mucous - contagious germs. really can't blame anyone for shying away from sick people. aways an issue with going to school, work, etc. tennis shouldn't be any different. some just feel more strongly than others.
 
S

Say Chi Sin Lo

G.O.A.T.
tennis_ocd said:
pockets and court - just dirt. saliva and mucous - contagious germs. really can't blame anyone for shying away from sick people. aways an issue with going to school, work, etc. tennis shouldn't be any different. some just feel more strongly than others.
Click to expand...

Then she needs to break down routinely on public transportation and air flights.
 
T

tennis_ocd

Hall of Fame
Say Chi Sin Lo said:
Then she needs to break down routinely on public transportation and air flights.
Click to expand...

they are obvious, unavoidable risks. I wouldn't expect a waitress to be serving me with a cough and runny nose... or a co-worker to be coughing up a lung next to me, sharing a pen during a mtg. it's unhealthy and rude.

tennis falls somewhere in between. luckily, if one is able to be out running and hitting, things usually aren't too bad.
 
JRstriker12

JRstriker12

Hall of Fame
Angle Queen said:
Further reflection (and discussion with the other two folks on the court, my partner & hers, afterwards)...it 'twas indeed the other issues that brought on the highly emotional cry. But she'd apparently complained to her partner the entire match...that I'd brought my "germs" to play. (No honey, I brought my FH).
Click to expand...

LOL! Burn!!!!!!

I've never heard of this sort of problem, but I do hate when my opponent wipes sweat on the ball or sweats so much that the tennis balls are soggy after their service game - ick.... not going to get sick or complain, but just a pet peeve.
 
S

stapletonj

Hall of Fame
"that I'd brought my "germs" to play. (No honey, I brought my FH)."

For our yankee friends, "honey" is southern (Southern Baptist, if you also include "God bless you") for "B*tch"
 
Angle Queen

Angle Queen

Professional
stapletonj said:
"that I'd brought my "germs" to play. (No honey, I brought my FH)."

For our yankee friends, "honey" is southern (Southern Baptist, if you also include "God bless you") for "B*tch"
Click to expand...
How many times can I LOL?

Generally speaking, stapletonj has indeed provided a good translation...'cept not really in this particular case. There was definitely no ill-will on my part.

But it does remind me of the line from Miranda Lambert's Only Prettier:

If you wanna pick a fight well I'm gonna have to say good night
I don't have to be hateful, I can just say bless your heart
Click to expand...

Been personally saved by the Grace of Southern Charm....many, many times.
 
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